I love love LOVE false eyelashes.
But not like those really trashy looking porn-star eyelashes every day…those are for special occasions only!

False eyelashes can look great on almost everybody – actually, everybody! You just have to know which ones fit your face better.

If you’ve been born with those naturally long and curved lashes that reach halfway up to your eyebrows (lucky!!!), you wouldn’t need a full set of false eyelashes to make them any longer – as it would look very unnatural! For those ladies with naturally long lashes, I would say stick to individual lashes to add to your volume.

If you’ve been unfortunate like me, and was born with stubby straight eyelashes, false lashes are great to create volume+length! Just make sure to curl and apply mascara beforehand – so it doesn’t look like you have a set of fake, long, curved lashes and then straight stubby things right under them.

Also, make sure the glue you are using is a good, sturdy, long-lasting one! And never, ever put false eyelashes ONTO your REAL lashes. They’ll never come off!

beautiful with any eye colour!

Summer is officially HERE! Swiping on nice earthy tones like Gold, Bronze, Browns, and darker colours are all good for colder weather… but now that it’s all sun and fun, have some fun with COLOUR!

Stock your eyeshadow palette with colours such as CORAL, YELLOW, LIME GREEN and AQUAMARINE. I love love love coral right now. Especially on eyes ! (see pic above). The colour is very flattering on all eye colours!

Just make sure you’re not wearing the same eyeshadow, cheek, and lip colour. That’s a little… odd.
Balance your eyes and lips – focus on eyes, play down the lips. focus on lips, play down the eyes.

Shoes, Shoes, and more Shoes!

I am a shoeaholic and proud to be. This spring you can catch me showing off my ankles in these puppies “Steven by Steve Madden ‘Demetra” in hot Hues like orange or pink … no beige for this fashionista.

I also plan on taking a walk on the wild side in Cut-Out Booties or Fringe Shoes such as these “Jessica Simpson ‘Geni’ ”

Designers being as resourceful as they are have found a way to extend the life of booties by cutting away parts of them – bring Fall booties into Spring. And booties aren’t the only Fall carry-over. Apparently, the powers that be want to milk Fall’s fringe trend just a little bit longer, since sandals, flats and heels with fringe accents are hitting the shoe store shelves for Spring.

I loved Russell Crowe in Gladiator so of course I also love the Heeled Huarache and Gladiator Sandals which have been featured in the Victoria Secret’s catalogue for the past two years.

Okay so the world is in an economic slump but that doesn’t mean I have to give up my one addiction, does it?

LONG LIVE THE SPRING SHOE!!!

Wow, I can’t believe I’m at the age (or I guess stage) where I actually need a girdle. I’m glad nowadays they refer to these sausage-casing-like garments as “shapewear.” Sounds so much more appealing. And shapewear is available in a wide array of options and styles depending on where your extra fat has landed.

I’ve always been thin and in pretty good shape, and for the most part I’ve gotten my body back, but it still looks like I’m wearing a fanny pack–on the front! So I’ve been looking into different options for smoothing out my style, and here’s one of the best for the money that I’ve come across: The Sensational Shaper by Assets, for $20.

Reviews say it “trims a full inch off waist and hips, and its comfy fit got raves.” It also supposedly eliminates that unflattering “muffin top” at the top of your waist.

Until I can get to the gym more often, I’m going to try it. I’ll let you know if you should buy it.

If you haven’t seen this show, no matter who you are, I’m sure you’ll recognize a little bit of yourself in each and every episode.

We’ve all fallen victim to many of the fashion faux pas that the hosts make fun of (and help remedy, thankfully!), from those tapered jeans you just can’t seem to toss…to thinking you’re still young enough to squeeze into the same styles your friends’ daughters are sporting (I know my instinct is still to head straight for the juniors dept, even though I’m now in my forties!).

I’ve gotten lots of great tips from this show, and if you don’t have time to keep up with what’s current, tune in once in awhile for easy ways to make a better first impression.

I was browsing Bazzar for some new spring styles. Despite the weather (-29′c with windchill), I’m excited for soft colours, silky fabrics and skirts! I’m so over bulky sweaters and wintercoats already.

This is what we are gonna see this season.

1. Being peachy

“This season is more about peach,” says makeup artist Tom Pécheux, who used the soft color at Hermès and Derek Lam. “It gives you the appearance of being a bit made-up without looking too girly or bronzy.” Because peach powder contains strong pigments, Pécheux suggests using a light hand to apply one swipe of blush a little below your apples so it doesn’t look too doll-like. Try Chanel Blush Duo Tweed Effect in Tweed Corail ($45).

2. Bright eyes with a touch of metallic

After several seasons of dark, heavy shadows, eyes are lightening up. “The eye is still dramatic,” says makeup artist Diane Kendal, who created the look at Carolina Herrera, “but the colors are softer.” At Dsquared2, makeup artist Val Garland blended a combination of gold shadows over M.A.C. Eye Kohl in Teddy ($14.50) for a metallic smoky eye. Get the look with L’Oréal Paris HIP Metallic Shadow Duo in Gilded ($7). Shimmery gold, silver, and bronze are the winning eye-shadow colors for spring.

3. Full brows are back!! put away the twizzers(well maybe not..)

Strong and defined brows made their way back to the runway this season. “It’s a fresh but handsome look,” notes Tilbury, who created thick, luscious eyebrows à la Brooke Shields at DKNY. Tame full brows with a gel like Laura Mercier Eye Brow Gel ($19). If your brows are uneven or sparse, fill them in with Revlon Brow Fantasy pencil and set them with its tinted gel ($7.50).

4. Flaunt your arms because winter’s gone!!

Stock up on these lacquer bracelets because they’re back!

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. bangles, $1,400. 800-526-0649.

5. New Shades

Round lenses have resurfaced as the must-have shades for warmer days.

Proenza Schouler sunglasses, $310. Barneys New York; 888-8-BARNEYS.

Fabulous!!!

Designers around the world is kicking off another new year with refreshing new ideas and trends. I would love to go to these shows and see them for myself! However, travelling isn’t in my immediate agenda unfortunately, so I will share some info on the shows with you and if you happen to be in the area you can check them out for me and maybe take some pictures!

Here you have the list of events that I find interesting and perhaps, worth going. Since Couture Fashion Week is right in New York, hopefully I can make it to that. For more information on these events, check out my profile on ShesConnected.

http://www.shesconnected.com/members/profile/beautyandfashionista

Create a profile on ShesConnected and join my group so that you can stay in touch with my latest fashion and makeup tips! http://www.shesconnected.com/groups/view/beautyandthefashioni
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I don’t know how they got my name, but for the first time in a long time I’m glad I ended up on a mailing list.

A catalog arrived at my house today from a company called Athleta.com (I had never heard of them). I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything in it, from the first page to the last. They have beautiful and unique swimwear (you can mix and match tops and bottoms for the right fit), dresses, coverups, pants and shorts, workout wear, t-shirts… everything is totally my style.

I also like that they have longer tops, tankinis and “skorts” for those of us trying to disguise a little extra weight here and there left over from pregnancy.

Anyway, I wish I could afford to buy the entire collection. I highly recommend checking out their site.

If you want some new spring styles without spending a lot, you really can’t beat TJ Maxx. I’ve been shopping there for decades, and they just keep getting better and better.

The secret is to stop by often, because they’re constantly getting in new merchandise. From one day to the next, you never know what you’ll find. Some days I don’t see anything I like, and other days I wish I could buy everything in the store.

I just got one of the new short-sleeved silk shirts in citrus colors that you see everywhere (mine is yellow) and it was only $14.  Now that’s spring fashion I can afford!